Liquid biopsy

Circulating cell-free DNA

Get insights out of cfDNA

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is DNA found in biofluids free of its cellular origins. It carries real-time information that can be used to detect and monitor biomarkers of cancer and other diseases in a simple blood test. Understanding what is cfDNA is a first step in devising effective detection strategies.

cfDNA is often found in low concentrations with rare mutations and in a fragmented condition, and you need sensitive and reliable tools that give you confidence in the signal you detect. Whether you work in biomarker discovery, transplant or NIPT research, our products for cfDNA isolation and analysis give you the reliable results you need.

Latest news on cfDNA

Precious samples, elusive cfDNA

Found in low concentrations, cfDNA contains only 1-2% circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in non-advanced, non-metastatic cancers. Isolation of cfDNA from low concentrations with high background noise requires handling of large starting volumes. High yields and purity are required for sensitive and reliable detection and analysis.

Sensitive detection and absolute quantification

Steps that increase standardization of the cfDNA analysis workflow include blood preservation and automated cfDNA isolation to ensure optimal purity and yield. Powerful discoveries are made possible by reliable detection of variants at a low variant allele frequency from cfDNA with an optimized bioinformatics pipeline and reduced enzymatic error rates. Biomarker validation and absolute quantification of cfDNA biomarkers in ultralow concentrations can be achieved by dPCR in reproducible results within 2 hours.

Your path to cell-free DNA analysis

Comprehensive workflow solutions starting with blood collection and stabilization along the molecular analysis workflow from dedicated cfDNA preparation to integrated data analysis solutions for various applications by next-generation sequencing or digital PCR, scalable to your sample volume, throughput or outsourcing needs.

Products along the workflow

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Focus on cfDNA isolation

A range of different manual or automated cfDNA isolation systems are available to suit different starting volume, processing time and throughput needs. To help you choose the best combination of products to isolate cfDNA for your applications, see the graphics, or download the brochure that also includes information on cfDNA analysis by dPCR and next-generation sequencing and data interpretation systems.

Select products for research applications

Select products for diagnostic applications

cfDNA isolation from large starting volumes

The concentration of cfDNA in biological fluids such as plasma or urine is usually low and varies considerably between individuals, usually from 1–50 ng/ml. Typically, input volumes of 4 ml are used, which corresponds to the total plasma volume from one blood collection tube. Depending on the target DNA, the application, and the sensitivity of the downstream assay, the sample input volume needed can vary from 1 to 10 ml. We provide a range of cfDNA purification kits that offer fast workflows and unmatched cfDNA concentrations from varying sample inputs for high sensitivity in downstream NGS and PCR analyses.

Instruments suitable for automated cfDNA isolation

Load more, see more

Imagine analyzing a cfDNA eluate containing a very rare event. You might want to get the maximum possible input into the cell-free DNA analysis workflow. Combine up to 8 ml plasma sample processing on EZ2 Connect with high-volume eluate loading on QIAcuity.

Have you considered the power of two?

EZ2 Connect and QIAcuity for cfDNA analysis

If you isolate cfDNA from a larger volume of serum or plasma and then use large-volume eluate loading with a highly sensitive detection method like digital PCR, you can load more and see more. Processing larger volumes gets more template cfDNA and dPCR will detect more mutations. You can achieve this goal by combining EZ2 Connect for easy sample processing with the QIAcuity dPCR system.

You can now combine a fully automated and convenient high-volume sample processing on the EZ2 Connect with fast and sensitive ultra-low mutation detection using digital PCR on the QIAcuity.

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See for yourself

The best way to see the power of two is to try it out yourself. Complete the form to request a demo in your lab.

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Dive deeper into cfDNA

Learn from the cfDNA experts

Watch our webinars to gain insights from cancer researchers and cfDNA analysis technology experts. Here we’ve collected together our most popular cfDNA-related talks and Q&A sessions.